Old Market (Omaha, Nebraska) facts for kids
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Old Market Historic District
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The intersection of Howard and 11th Streets in the heart of the Old Market.
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| Location |  Omaha, NE |
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| Architect | Multiple |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001441 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 23, 1979 |
The Old Market is a super cool neighborhood in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It's a fun place to visit, full of history and exciting things to do. You can find many restaurants, art galleries, and unique shops here.
The streets in the Old Market are still paved with old bricks, just like they were over 100 years ago! You might even see horse-drawn carriages, which makes it feel like stepping back in time. Sometimes, you'll spot street performers, artists, and other vendors showing off their talents.
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A Special Historic Place
The Old Market is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important area because of its history and special buildings. Being a historic district helps protect its unique character for future generations.
You can even take a walking tour to explore the historic buildings. This tour is offered by the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. The Old Market is near other historic areas like the Omaha Rail and Commerce Historic District.
Historic Buildings and Their Stories
The buildings in the Old Market have been used for many different things over the years. They were first built to sell groceries to the city of Omaha. Before the Old Market, there was a place called the Market House in Jefferson Square.
Many of the buildings here have interesting pasts:
- The P. E. Iler Block was built in 1901. It was a six-story warehouse. In 1990, it was updated to hold shops and offices.
- The Windsor Hotel is a three-story brick building from 1885. It was changed into apartments and shops in 1985.
- The McClure-Smith Building was built around 1878. It used to be a bakery! In 1985, it became offices and shops.
- The A. I. Root Building was built in 1904 for offices. It got bigger in 1909 when another section was added. Now, it has shops and homes.
- The Morse-Coe Shoe Company building was a five-story warehouse built in 1894. Today, it's called the Mayfield Apartments and has homes, shops, and parking.
How the Buildings Were Made
Most buildings in the Old Market are made of brick. The streets are also covered with bricks, cobblestones, and asphalt. Many buildings from the early 1900s also had cool details. These included cast-iron fronts, metal decorations, stone trim, and metal coverings over the sidewalks.
Changes and New Life
In 1991, a big company called ConAgra Foods moved its main office next to the Old Market. This happened after some older buildings in a nearby area were taken down. The Old Market has seen many changes, but it keeps its historic charm.
The 2016 Old Market Event
On January 9, 2016, a large event happened at M's Pub. It was caused by a gas line that was accidentally broken by workers. This led to a fire that damaged the 100-year-old building.
Firefighters worked hard through the night to put out the fire. It was very cold, so the water used to fight the fire froze. Several people were hurt, but thankfully, no one lost their life.
Images for kids
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Businesses located along Howard street in the Old Market.
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Many of the original warehouses in the Old Market have been converted into lofts. The building on the right was heavily damaged by the January 2016 event.
